Device for operating land mines and the like by the passage of tanks or other vehicles



Aug. 3o, 193s.

N. E. METHLIN 2,128,839 DEVICE FOR OPERATING LAND MINES AND THE LIKE BY THE PASSAGE OF TANKS OR OTHER VEHICLES Filed NOV. 24, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 30, 1938. N, E. METHLIN 2,128,839

DEVICE FOR OPERATING LAND MINES AND THE LIKE BY THE PASSAGE OF TANKS OR OTHER VEHICLES Filed Nov. 24, 1936 v 2 Sheets--Shee'fI 2 Eig. 3.

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Patented Aug. 3o, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR OPERATING LAND MINES AND THE LIKE BY THE PASSAGE 0F TANKS OB,

OTHER VEHICLES Nicolas Emilien Methlin, Paris, France, assigner to Schneider & Cle, Paris, France, a joint-stock company of France Application'Novenber 24, 1936, serial No. 112,600 In France January 21, 1936 protection of the ground of military operations,-

particularly against tanks or other like vehicles, and which comprise in the known manner, a certain number of mines or other like appliances suitably distributed or dispersed over the ground, and the firing mechanisms of which are associated with control members intended to bring about the operation of the said explosive appliances at the moment the tanks or other like vehicles pass over the said members.

The present invention relates more particularly to the special members for controlling the ring of such appliances, the said members being substantially constituted, for each appliance or for a couple of appliances, by a sheathed cable forming a iiexible unit which is disposed on or lightly buried on the ground and the sheath of which is constructed so as to be capable of elongation under the effect of a deformation` the connection between the cable and the movable member of the tiring mechanism being such that mere deformation -of the sheathed cable, at the moment of the passage of a load of predetermined magnitude. produces an elongation of the sheath, resulting in a pull being exerted on the cable, which nally brings about the operation of the mechanism or mechanisms to which the latter is connected.

The accompanying drawings show by way of example various embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section oi a first form of construction of the sheathed cabled system according to the invention. Figure 2 shows the same device deformed under the eilect of the passage of a vehicle and hence producing a pull, causing the explosion of a corresponding appliance. Figure 3 shows in longitudinal section a modiiication of the sheathed cable system of the present invention together with one form oi iiring mechanism to which the system may be connected. Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the action of a wheel or endless track of a tank in passing over ground protected by explosive devices embodying the present invention.' Figure 5 is a view. partially in longitudinal section, illustrating the application of the invention to a pair of explosive devices. Figure 6 is a view,

also partially in longitudinal section, illustrating 1 one mode of connecting a common operating cable to a plurality of explosive devices. Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 are diagrammatic illustrations of a number of different arrangements which may be adapted for protecting a piece of ground by means of the present invention. Figures 11, 12,

13 and 14 are longitudinal sectional views of various modiiications of the sheathed cable by means of which the iiring mechanisms of explosive devices may be operated in accordance with the present invention.

In the example of Figures 1 and 2, the sheath is constituted by a certain number of sleeves I threaded on the flexible but non-extensible .cable 2, the end 3 of which is secured to a shoulder 4 forming a stop for the corresponding end sleeve of the sheath. Under the effect of the deformationy of the system. during the passage of a vehicle of a sufllcient predetermined load, the members assume a position such as that indicated in Figure 2, the deformation of the sheath producing an elongation due to the separation of its elements, the said elongation causing the end of the cable connected to the movable element of the iiring mechanism to move from 5 to 5'.

As illustrative of the manner in which the sheathed cable system of Figures 1 and 2 may be operatively connected to the ring mechanism of an explosive appliance, reference may be had to Figure 3. As shown therein the iiring mechanism is constructed in the form of a fuse screwed to the appliance and comprises a fuse body in two parts 6 and 'I connected by screwing together. 8 is a iixed percussion cap. 9 is the movable striker, tting by means of a sleeve I 0 in a striker support Il, Ato which it is fixed by means of a pin I2. The striker 9 also comprises a flange I3 bearing against a shoulder Il on the element 'I of 'the fuse body.

Compressed between the edge of the rear tubular part of the striker 9 and the closed end of the tubular striker support II is a spring I5 which, by expanding when the pin I2 is broken under the eiect of the pull exerted on the cable 2, drives the striker 9 violently against the percussion cap 8.

The end 5 of the cable 2 is xed to the striker support I I, for example, by means of an expanded part 5a.

'Ihe end I of the sheath I is supported in the base of a recess I6 in the element 1 of the fuse body. If, due to a deformation of the sheath I, the pull exerted on the cable 2 issuilicient to rupture the pin I2, the striker supported on the fuse body is separated from the striker support and is driven by the spring I 5 towards the percussion cap.

Figure 4 shows diagrammatically the action of a wheel or endless ,track I'I of a tank by its passage over the cable-sheath system connected to the firing mechanism of the mine I8.

yposed between the sheath I and the sheaths of the said opened out portions to serve'both as a support for the ends of the sheaths and as-a guide for the cables. It will be appreciated at once that the deformation of the common sheath I produces the simultaneous operation of the ring mechanisms 1 and 1, the cable 2, thesheath I of which abutting against the part I9 has been deformed, transmitting in fact its force to thetwo cables 2 and 2, connected respectively to the said mechanism 1 and l".

Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 show diagrammatically a certain number of arrangements which may be adopted for protecting a piece of ground by means of the device according to the invention. In these figures, the reference numerals denote the same members as in the preceding figures. In the right hand part of Figure 9 the numerals 4 denote points common to two independent controls at which the cable and sheath are connected together.

Finally, Figures 11, 12, 13 and 14 represent constructional modifications of the sheathed cable by means of which the ring mechanism of the mines or other protective appliances are released.

In the form of construction shown in Figure 11, the sheath is constituted by a series of spherical beads 20, all of the same size. g

In the form of construction according to Figure 12, a certain number of large beads 2l, ZI', are separated from each other by a plurality of beads 20 of a smaller diameter, this arrangement being intended to facilitate the deformation and elongation of the sheath for the reason that the large beads are driven more deeply into the ground than the small beads, and before the latter, thereby producing a bending and hence an elongation of the section of sheath comprised between two neighbouring large beads.

In the form of construction shown in Figure 13, a certain number of cylindrical sleeves 22, 23 of different diameters have been associated together. These sleeves, instead of terminating in faces perpendicular to their axis or convex at both their endsare provided with concave ends associated either with adjacent concave ends or with convex ends, so as to prevent the cable incurring the risk of being damaged by shearing at the moment of the deformation of the device. As shown in the right hand part of Figure 13, the ends of the sleeves may likewise be tted into one another over a slight depth and with sucient play to allow the desired amount of bending to take place.

In the form'of construction shown in Figure 14, the sheath is constituted by a kind of tube formed by a helical spring having its turns touching each other, the eventual elongation of which results directly from its being crushed.

In the particular form of construction described with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, provision has been made for the deformation of the sheath at the moment of the passage of a tank, to produce a pull on the cable, which in its turn, indirectly, through the medium of a. release device (fracture of the retaining pin) results in the operation of the ring mechanism. Of course, various other forms of construction could likewise be produced in which the deformation would produce, on the part of the cable, a push capable of causing the said firing mechanism to operate; It will also be obvious that in all of the embodiments of the invention illustrated, with the exception of that of Figure 5 wherein-two mines or other explosive appliances are connected by the same sheathed cable, the ends 3 of the cables which are connected to the shoulders of the sheaths are either anchored in any` suitable way or otherwise offer at least as great resistance to movement as is offered to the movement of the ends 5 which are connected to the firing mechanisms. Finally, it is also possible to consider the case in which the cable itself is rigidly connected to the device, while the sheath itself at the moment of its deformation would act on the firing mechanism, any person skilled in the art being capable of conceiving without any difficulty the detailed arrangements necessary for carrying into effect any of these various alternatives.

What is claimed is:

1. An explosive device of the type adapted to A lie on or to be buried in the ground and exploded by the passage of a tank or other vehicle over the ground to be protected, comprising a firing mechanism having fixed and movable elements, a cable and a sheath surrounding said cable adapted to lie on or just below the surface of the ground, said sheath being so constructed and arranged as to elongate when deformed in any portion of its length and having one end xed relatively to the corresponding end of said cable, the opposite ends of said sheath and cable being connected to said fixed and movable elements, respectively, of the firing mechanism of the explosive device, whereby deformation of the sheath and cable produced by the passage of a vehicle thereover results in operation of said ring mechanism.

2. An explosive device of the type adapted to lie on or to be buried in the ground and exploded by the passage of a tank or other vehicle over the ground to be protected, comprising a -ring mechanism having xed and movable elements, and a sheathed cable adapted to lie on or just below the surface of the ground consisting of a non-extensible cable and an extensible sheath therearound, one end of said sheath being xed relatively to the corresponding end of said cable, the opposite ends of said sheath and cable being connected to said fixed and movable elements, respectively, of the firing mechanism of the explosive device, whereby deformation of the sheath and cable in any portion of its length by the passage of a vehicle thereover produces a movement of the last named end of said cable sufficient to effect the operation of said firing mechanism.

3. An exploding device according to claim 2 wherein said extensible sheath is constituted by a plurality of separately formed elements of different diameters threaded on said .cable and in normally contacting relation with one another.

4. An exploding device according to claim 2 wherein said extensible sheath is constituted by a plurality of separately formed beads of diiferent sizes threaded on said cable in normally contacting relation with one another, each two of the larger beads being separated by a plurality of smaller beads.

5. A common operating means for the firing mechanisms of a plurality of explosive devices of the character described comprising a nonextensible cable having a main portion and a plurality of branch portions extending from said main portion to the firing mechanisms of said plurality of explosive devices. a separate section of extensible sheathing surrounding each of said main and branch cable portions, and a coupling member located at each junction between said main and branch cable portions and so constructed and arranged as to both guide said cable portions and support the ends of said sheathing sections, the end of each of said branch cable portions and the corresponding end of the surrounding section of sheathing being so connected to the ring mechanism of the associated explosive device that relative movement therebetween caused by cable and sheathing deformation results in operation of said ring mechanism.

6. A common operating means for the ring mechanisms of a plurality of explosive devices of the character described comprising a nonextensible cable having a main portion and a plurality of branch portions extending from one end thereof to the firing mechanisms of said plurality of explosive devices, a section of extensible sheathing surrounding said main cable portion and having one end fixed relatively to the end of the cable opposite to its branched end, a separate section of extensible sheathing surrounding each of said branch cable portions, and a coupling member located at the junction between said main and branch cable portions and so constructed and arranged as to both guide said cable portions and support the ends of said sheathing sections, the end of each of said branch cable portions and the corresponding end of the surrounding section of sheathing being so connected to the rlng mechanism of the associated explosive device that relative movement therebetween caused by cable and sheathing deformation results in operation of said firing mechanism.

7. Apparatus of the character described for protecting the ground of military operations comprising a plurality gf explosive devices adapted to lie on or to be buried in the ground at separated points and including firing mechanisms operable by the passage over the ground to be protected of a tank or other vehicle, a nonextensible cable extending to all of the said explosive devices, and an extensible sheath around said cable, said cable and sheath lying on or just below the surface of the ground with the ends thereof adjacent each explosive device so connected to the associated ring mechanism that the relative movement therebetween caused by deformation of said cable and sheath due to the passage of a vehicle thereover results in Voperation of said ring mechanism.

8. Apparatus of the character described for protecting the ground of military operations comprising a plurality of explosive devices adapted to lie on or to be buried in the ground at separated points and including ring mechanisms operable by the passage over the ground to be protected of a tank or other vehicle, a non-extensible cable having a main portion and a plurality of branch portions extending therefrom to said explosive devices, and an extensible sheath surrounding said main and branch cable portions, said cable and sheath lying on or just below the surface of the ground with the ends of each branch cable portion and the associated section of sheath so connected to the firing mechanism of the explosive device to which they extend that the relative movement therebetween caused by deformation of said cable and sheath due to the passage of a vehicle thereover results in operation of said ring mechanism.

NICOLAS EMILIEN METHLIN. 

